Have you ever walked into a place and your eyes are hurting from the bright lights? Hopefully, this isn’t the case with your home. If it is then we can help you fix this with our lighting tips!
Here we are going to discuss all things lighting, from the different kinds of light to ambient light tips, and we’ll also cover how to replace a lightbulb in case you’ve been living in your rental apartment for quite a while and you need to replace it!
How to Replace a Lightbulb
If it’s your first time replacing a lightbulb, you may be worried because of the electricity, but thankfully changing a lightbulb is a quick and easy process! If you’re unsure about the process, here it is:
1.Turn off the power.
This is the most important part. The safest way of doing this is by turning off your general power from the fusebox and/or unplugging your light if it has a plug.
2. Let the light bulb cool down.
If it was turned on, there’s a chance it could still be hot to touch and you don’t want to burn yourself!
3. Remove the covering (if your light has one).
Dome lights are lights set into the ceiling that covers the lightbulb itself. Many houses in Japan have dome lights so you’ll need to remove the dome first.
Dome lights are often screwed in so you’ll need to remove the screws with a screwdriver to then carefully take the dome off.
If you don’t have screws in the dome, the dome itself may screw apart from a fitting. If this is the case, you’ll just have to carefully turn the dome until it comes off the fitting. Some dome lights are attached by other methods such as hooks and clips.
4. Remove the bulb.
First, you need to be able to reach the lightbulb safely. If you don’t have a safe step ladder, you can buy an extension tool to replace lightbulbs that are high up.
There are different ways to remove a bulb depending on the type of bulb fitting. It will either have a bayonet mount or a screw fitting.
In the case of a bayonet mount, you’ll have to gently push the bulb upwards and then turn it anti-clockwise until it has separated from the socket.
With a screw fitting simply twist the lightbulb anti-clockwise until it has come out of the socket.
5. Replace the bulb.
Put it in the socket and twist it in a clockwise direction until it is secured.
LED Lights
LED lights have quickly become the most popular style of light across Japan. There’s no surprise they’ve become so popular due to the endless list of benefits in comparison to incandescent lights that used to be the go-to for lightbulbs.
LED lights last around 40 times longer than the old style of lights and they use about 75% less energy. At a time when energy is becoming more expensive, it’s a great idea to switch to LED lights if you haven’t already to help save a little more money!
They are also a more sustainable option so while you are saving money you are also making less of an impact on the planet!
One of the preconceived downsides to LED lights is that they’re often quite bright white light. However, LED lighting doesn’t have to be like this. You can often purchase LED lights with dimmers so that you can control how bright they are. If you choose LED lightbulbs with a lower Kelvin rating, they will also be a much warmer color and tone.
Edison Bulb
In recent years the Edison bulb has once again come into circulation. The Edison bulb is the original carbon filament lightbulb that originated in the late 1800s.
What we now see in stores is often called an Edison-style or vintage or antique lightbulb. These replicate the look of the original Edison bulb.
These bulbs have become popular in interior design because they are made from completely clear glass, through which you can see delicate filaments that create light.
These lightbulbs are beautiful and come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and designs, but they aren’t very efficient. However, don’t worry because if you like the look of these bulbs, you can get LED versions of them!
Fluorescent Light
Fluorescent light usually comes in a lamp or tube, but it can also come in bulb forms. You still see plenty of fluorescent lights around but they are also quickly being replaced by LED.
Fluorescent light is much more efficient than incandescent light, however it does have some downsides. These lightbulbs may contain mercury so they need to be carefully disposed of and become very hazardous if they break.
The lights often take a long time to switch on and may flicker in the process. They also flicker when they are close to running out. The flickering can be very annoying and can cause headaches from eye strain. Fluorescent light is usually quite harsh which can also cause eye strain.
Ambient Light
When thinking about lighting for your apartment, you want to bear in mind what you will be doing in each area. In the kitchen area, you’ll probably want bright lights so that you can see what you’re doing when you’re preparing food. In the living space and sleeping space, you might want more warm and soft lighting. This can make the place seem cozier and more relaxing.
To get more warm lighting, you may want to think about ambient light. This is where you get the opportunity to get creative! You can choose what colors and shapes you want and where you want the light to shine. Lamps can come in so many designs. One particularly nice ambient light lamp that is popular at the moment is the sunset light.
You may want to incorporate lamps or multiple forms of lighting to create a nice ambient light setting. Generally, for more ambient light, focus on finding warm light, light that is lower on the Kelvin scale.
Another way you can create ambient light is by using straights of LED lights and placing them along furniture, above it on the ceiling, or even underneath it. These are all different ways of accenting furniture.
Generally using lamps is a great and damage-free way of making your rental apartment feel warm, cozy, and homely. Winter is the most important time to have nice lighting since the natural light isn’t as strong. We hope this helps you with your lights!
Accent Lights
Accent lights are a type of lighting that highlights certain specific areas, objects, or architectural features in a room or space in order to draw one’s attention to it. It also works to draw an individual’s attention away from other aspects of the room or space that perhaps you don’t want people to pay attention to.
If you are a collector of trinkets, model figurines, etc., have art pieces on the wall, or want visitors to pay attention to a specific feature of a room, these are the lights to use as they create a focal point for one’s eyes as well as enhance the overall atmosphere that particular space.
Some examples of accent lights include track lighting, spotlights, floodlights, table lamps, floor lamps, display cabinet lights, and shelf lamps. Such lights are typically brighter than ambient lights but not as bright as task lights.
Task Lighting
As the name suggests, task lights are a type of bright light designed specifically for carrying out tasks such as reading, writing, studying, working at a desk, working on a computer, cooking, etc. More directed than ambient or accent lights, they help reduce eyestrain and improve visibility, making them a good choice for people who work from home and have a dedicated workstation set up.
Task lights work by providing a concentrated beam of light that illuminates a specific area that has been designated as a space for performing tasks, and the brightness of these lights makes them a viable option for tasks that require precision. These lights are a good investment if you work from home or have children who like to study in their rooms.
Some examples of task lights include desk lamps, under-cabinet lights, and overhead fixtures. They typically are designed with cool, white, or daylight-toned lights, which help improve or enhance an individual’s focus, concentration, and alertness.
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